170 MODERN FRUIT MARKETING 



tions, that those who ship through such organizations lose 

 their individuality, but when dealing with commission 

 men the individuality of the grower has a chance for all 

 the expression which he is able to give it. Therefore, 

 by special care in the use of trade-marks or brands 

 placed on packages one can often work up a reliable or 

 enviable reputation for his fruit. 



Second, it is well to place confidence in the commis- 

 sion men with whom a grower is dealing and ask advice 

 regarding certain shipments and kinds of fruits, grades, 

 varieties, packages, etc. The honest commission man will 

 give his best attention to this and advise the grower 

 what he thinks best to do. Third, it is well understood 

 that the producer who keeps in close touch with the 

 commission man will get better results from that house 

 than the one who is not sufficiently interested to look 

 into his business methods. 



If it is possible to assign any specific advantages or 

 disadvantages to the use of the commission house it might 

 be summed up in the following : ( 1 ) Producers can ship 

 in small quantities. (2) Opportunities are greater for 

 the individuality of the producer. (3) It makes an 

 outlet for surplus stock when catering to a home market. 

 The first reason is not a very strong one, because organ- 

 izations have, now, the means whereby small quantities 

 of produce can be shipped together in carlots. This does 

 apply, however, to certain sections where there are no 

 organizations and thereby affords an outlet for large 

 quantities of stock for short distance shipping. 



Opportunities for individualities are often given as 

 a reason why commission houses should be permitted, 

 but this is not a particularly valid reason. Commission 



